KOP = Key Opinion Leader = someone who has experience, expertise and is trusted. That’s me! And it’s probably all of us, who have worked for a while in our field, right? The AI also tells me, “Unlike general influencers, KOLs build credibility through professional achievements, such as publishing research, speaking at conferences, or holding industry leadership roles”.
Well, I have spoken at conferences (as a speaker and host/moderator), I have lots of professional achievements, and I publish a lot of content (if not research), such as this blog.
But – and this is where I probably don’t fulfil the role, they tend to be people “whose respected opinions influence public or professional decisions”. Well, I can bang on till I’m blue in the face about presentation skills, speaking ‘clearly and naturally’, being well lit when doing zoom calls, and pronouncing unusual words (brand names etc) intelligibly, but I am not sure I ‘influence public decicions’.
But on a smaller scale, I hope I influence the people I coach in my Media Training Sessions, to adopt my Tips and Techniques for Public Speaking etc. Maybe they will slow down the next time they catch themselves gabbling or mumbling, stand a bit straighter and make eye contact with their audience, and use examples for impact.
And because ‘Learning Through Doing’ is the way we work now, they’re prepared, forewarned and forearmed. What I mean is: because they have physically stood there and presented to the group, then watched it back and received feedback from their peers, and me, they know what’s it’s like ‘in their skin’ to have done it. The muscle memory will kick in when they do it for real, and they will get through it. Having role-played it, they know the ground won’t open up and swallow them whole, and people will be complimentary rather than critical. It’s never as bad as you think it’s going to be! Or very rarely anyway 🙂
My point is:
…and this in my point: I influence people in my sphere, enough. I don’t need to influence wider than that. If people are influenced by any advice or tips that I give, I am happy.
#training #mediatraining #coaching #presentationskills #presentation #publicspeaking #voice #voiceskills #podcasting #interviewSkills #comms #communication #communicationSkills
